I showed you the canned salmon favors from this wedding the other week and thought I should share more from this wedding in Alaska with you especially since it’s primarily a white, cream and brown color palette (this week’s palette). Originally shot for Martha Stewart Weddings by Rick Lew and styled by me, this wedding was casual and inspired by the regional beauty. I hope you can draw some ideas and inspiration from these images! (Please remember though the photos are from my portfolio and if you pin the images they should be credited to Martha Stewart Weddings and photographer Rick Lew, thank you!) – Lynn Butler Beling
Above photo: The centerpieces were entirely candles in jars that the family saved to recycle for the wedding. The jars were all different sizes and candles from Creative Candles fit every size down to the votive size. Below, a detail of the votives that acted as place cards. A moose craft punch detailed the paper that was wrapped around each glass votive jar and secured with double stick tape. Calligrapher Gail Brill personalized each paper wrap with a guest’s name in brown ink. Both cream and brown candles were used in the votives, making some of the moose brown when viewed through the moose paper cut out.
The top of the votive jars were finished with dark brown faux suede ribbon to help highlight the guests’ names.
The wedding reception took place at the Alaska National Heritage Center. The couple had native dancers perform for all their guests. A beautiful view of a lake could be seen from the floor to ceiling windows.
Custom coasters from Katz Americas were printed for the featured drink of Alaskan Amber with a bull moose icon and phrase ‘no bull the bride and groom are hitched!’.
Family photos were displayed in rustic wood frames outside for cocktail hour. I chose a dark forest green tablecloth and covered it in moss. Pots painted green, planted with local ferns and scattered in between the frames helped the table look more woodland. A simple calligraphed folded card denoted the family photographs.
A monogramed cowbell from Bell Outlet finished off with a leather tie was rung to announce dinner and signal the end of cocktail hour.
The wedding cake by Calliope Designs and Confections in Anchorage was a homage to Alaska. The topper was a replica of the groom’s family’s cabin which was made of brownie. Fondant graced each tier with the mountains, flowers and spruce trees done in royal icing.
The outdoor theme began when guests arrived for the week long festivities. Itineraries printed with a moose and tree icon were included in the welcome bag with planned events to see local attractions like a glacier cruise, flying in sea planes for overhead views of Alaska’s natural beauty, fishing with the groom for salmon and even a Northern Lights show at the Performing Arts Center. The couple also planned shopping excursions, dinners, lunches, a shower and of course shared all the wedding plans, times and locations.
The groom on the fishing trip and the wedding favors of canned salmon. The groom’s mother hand-canned about two hundred jars for the wedding.
The ceremony was held at the First United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. Paper Alaskan wildflowers by Jude Miller adorned the ends of the pews.
And of course the ceremony programs featured a moose icon, (made with the same craft punch used for the reception votives) and were bound with faux suede dark brown ribbon. Remember to think of the small details- like if the programs will be handed out by a family member or placed at a table at the entrance to the ceremony for guests to help themselves. A bowl, basket or how they are displayed should be in keeping with the ceremony style.
Please remember to give proper credit if you pin or use any of these photos from my styling portfolio. Again all the images were photographed by Rick Lew and were shot for Martha Stewart Weddings and styled by Lynn Butler Beling. Thank you!
